Chillaxin in Chicago

While Brian is at an all-day interview (with 10 different interviewers!!!), Ev and I are just hanging out in the Deerfield/Northbrook area. The company set us up in a room at the Courtyard Marriott (fancy!), and we have a late checkout, so we've just been doing some work from the room this morning. Here's a shot of Ev enjoying his Sealy Posturpedic queen sized bed last night.We will later head over to the uber fancy Northbrook Court mall which is filled with stores like Baby Gap and Gymboree! Okay, I think they pride themselves more on having stores like Burberry, Coach, Louis Vitton, Ralph Lauren, etc., but I can't afford those and love looking at fancy baby stuff. Ooo, there's even a Janie and Jack....I wish I had a whole bunch of money to spend on dressing this boy up! So yeah, the company is in Northbrook, but considering things like the stores in the mall, and that the average income is well over $100,000, we would never be living in this village. This is, however, Bri's third interview with the company (on campus, phone, and now in person), so there is a good possibility of a job offer. He has another interview on campus tomorrow, and then we're done. The company in Ashland wants a response, so after we hear about these two interviews, it's decision time.
In other news, we think we have our May vacation set up! The Grandparents H have generously offered to let us use a condo week this summer and something opened up on Myrtle Beach, SC in the beginning of May. I'm excited to finally see the East Coast and let Ev see the ocean, and we'll just have a week to relax before craziness recommences (Brian will be working this summer at the lab, I'll be....umm....I don't know!).
Well, we should start packing up our stuff so we can get on with the shopping!!! Ikea is only 25 miles away too....dangerous!

Instead of being sad/mad...

Stupid insurance claims started driving me up the wall this afternoon (we may end up paying over $3000 for Everett's birth and doctor's appointments since), so instead of crying and being bitter and worrying, I came up with a small list of things I am grateful for right now and thought I'd share:
-Everett is healthy! Were he a sick baby, in the ICU, having all kinds of doctor's visits, we really would be in trouble!
-Everett is a happy and lovely little boy. Seriously, I cannot go a day without laughing to the point that tears stream down my face because we get into giggle fests.
-My medical/hospital bills have amounted to nothing...really, I don't think we've paid anything.
-We got a decent tax return
-Brian will graduate on time! Yay!
-Brian has a job offer (who cares where or how much! In this economy, I'm grateful.)
-Brian has two job interviews this week (see above parenthetical statement).
-I have a good job and a great boss who is working with me being home in every way possible.
-I can make cloth diapers! :)
-Brian and I are also in good health. Phew!
-We know how to cook yummy meals (lasagna florentine last week, shrimp and asparagus penne last night).
-We have a TiVo! Thanks uncle Bill!
-The weather is getting warmer --> cheaper utility bills
-Our car works very well and gets decent gas mileage
-We have a working camera (good for catching all those wonderful Everett smiles).
-We have money saved, meaning this whole insurance thing isn't devastating.
-We have dental insurance, regardless of piddliness, it helps.
-We all have clothes, shoes, and coats.
-Everett has toys and books.
-We have birth control. LOL
-We have stuff we can sell before we move.
-We have wonderful families
-Brian's done with classes
-Breastfeeding = free baby food!
-We have plenty of video games, board games, books, and other ways to amuse ourselves.
-We have two cats to amuse us.
-We don't have octuplets. heehee
-We all love each other!
Making this list, which doesn't even begin to cover the number of our blessings, made me feel better. I hope it encourages you to think about things you're grateful for too!

The obsession continues

So...when I said that I was developing an obsession with cloth diapers, I meant it! First, I bought 5 used diapers off diaperswappers.com for a grand total of $35. This was to have some on hand, and to examine in hopes of making my own dipes. I then convinced Brian that we should really own a sewing machine, and we went to Sears and got an $80 Kenmore. (It works beautifully and doesn't have any fancy buttons that we would be afraid to use.) We then went over to JoAnne fabrics and I picked out a bunch of cute flannel, fleece, and a bit of cotton. I then cut up some old pilly blankies and towel and went to town. I first made an insert for my two purchased pocket diapers out of an old blanket and a cheap burp cloth (it's the one with tractors and such on it). Then, I moved on to bigger things and made a fitted dipe! Complete with elastic in the legs and a pocket in case it isn't absorbant enough. This doesn't have a waterproof layer, so I'm still planning to buy a couple of Polyurethane Laminate covers to use over the fitted dipes. I decided to try first on plain old cotton, so I made this four layers thick (two cotton, one towel, one extra layer of towel down the middle). Isn't it lovely!? Don't make fun of my uneven stitching! I haven't used a sewing machine since I was about 14 and my scissors need to be replaced. I might still add some velcro, or I might just buy a snappi or two.Here is my collection as it stands now! (L-R, T-B : Two Blueberry pockets, two work-at-home-mom (WAHM) made All-in-2s (they have snap in liners), one WAHM All-in-one, my first insert, and my first fitted dipe!)
Now for those not as obsessed with diapers as I am, here is a cute picture of my two guys:
And a video of Everett not wanting a nap in his crib (just wait....) Oh, and sorry it's sideways!:

We have hands!

Becoming a mommy makes you see things as beautiful that you never would have before. While desperately trying to get Ev down for a nap (which didn't work...he's now snoozing in his sling as I type), he got his hands up in front of his face, and the focused, amazed look on his face was beautiful. He looked like he was trying so hard to make connections and determine just what, exactly, these things were and how they were moving whenever he did something. The past couple of days, Ev has been pretty quick to get upset. He'll go from happily playing to wailing in two seconds flat. I think he's getting started on his 3 month growth spurt a week early...he woke up twice last night instead of the glorious one time we had been experiencing. So last night it was feeding at 6:15, bath at 7:30, meltdown immediately afterward (don't ask me, it's just been the past two days) which is only eased by rocking and another quick nursing at 8, dreamfeed at 10ish (feeding while he's still asleep...coolest thing ever), then, instead of sleeping until 4 or 5, he was up at 12ish and again at 5. Oh well! At least he did it on a weekend so I could unintelligibly mutter to Brian to go give the baby his nuk at 7. Then Brian was very nice and got up with the babe so I could sleep until 8:30. Yay!

My new obsession with cloth diapers has led into a burning desire to buy a simple sewing machine. Yes, I know I'm ridiculous, but I want one! I want to make diapers! (And Brian wants shirts tailored, which I guess I could try to do after watching some youtube....yes, that's how I became obsessed with the making cloth diapers idea....youtube is the greatest invention ever!)

Anyway! Brian has an interview in IL on Thursday, so we're thinking we might all head up there for a night. (I can't work anyway since Brian will have the car...and I want to go to Ikea!!!)

My Brain is Full of...

Seriously. I think, "gee, it sure would be nicer to the environment if we used cloth diapers. I think I'll look into that." OMG. You would not believe the sheer number of styles, types, brands, etc. of cloth diapers!!! There is no longer just the generic piece of fabric that you stick on baby's butt with some safety pins...no no....those are still around too, but now there are pocket diapers, all-in-ones, all-in-twos, fitteds, covers, and prefolds. And in addition to that, you have to think about one size, single size, inserts, doublers, snappis, snaps vs velcro.... EEK!
I've become slightly obsessed with diaperswappers.com and have already made my first purchase - 2 size medium Blueberry brand pocket diapers for $15. Oh yeah, that's another thing. You can pay over $30 for a single diaper in some of those all-in-ones! So I am slowly investigating diapers, brands, all the associated lingo, and even more slowly building up a little supply to try out. Forget new mama wardrobe - I want diapers!!!!

The Yell

I finally managed to get a tiny bit of Everett's "yell" on camera. In addition to when he has a yucky diaper, he has started doing this whenever we're not paying attention to him and he thinks we should be. This video doesn't even begin to capture the volume or enthusiasm, but alas, whenever I take out the camera and point it at him, he stops because I'm paying attention! I'll have to set up a secret, hidden video camera or something. :)

Check out the signature!

I am so proud of myself! Sniffle!

Today, Ev came to work with me. We headed out at 7:30 and were working at a workshop until 1! He was the best babe ever and slept almost the whole time. He was only awake for a diaper change, feeding, and a while to stare at himself in the mirrored walls. I might pay for this tonight, but oh well. Last night, my little darling decided to sleep for 7 hours straight!!!!! I'm sure it's just a one time thing, but it sure was nice for me!

Anyway, that's all for today. Just had to test out my new funness.

Lobsters aren't lost!!!

Yeah, I guess that title's going to need some explanation... Over Christmas break, I ordered some little shoes (soft kind, they're okay!) for Everett with lobsters on them from Lands End. I decided to have them sent to Ashland because we were still going to be there for a while. Well, they turned up the afternoon after we left town. So, Brian's parents sent them on down to us with other things we forgot. Fast forward to February and I still haven't seen my lobsters! Thinking they had gotten lost in the brilliant system that is the US postal service, I was sad. Well, lo and behold - the box was at our apartment office! Now, understand that the mailman NEVER drops packages at the office, but leaves us a notice to pick them up from the post office. It turns out, there was a sub that day and she doesn't leave notices. AND the office apparently decided it wasn't important to call us after a package had been sitting there for a MONTH. Oh well! All's well that ends well I suppose. There's still room to grow into them, but Ev wore them to church today. (Not this outfit though....we had a bit of a poo-spolsion to deal with this morning....)

The Day of Loooove...tomorrow!

Everett decided to send out one big blog-based Valentine to all his lovies! Following in his daddy's footsteps and understanding the importance of flowers, Ev thought you might like a red rose for V day.

"Pleeease be my valentine???"

"Come on, you know you want to be my valentine! I'll give you this flower!"

To Christy

Love this baby face

Check out this cuteness!Sometimes he's just too cute to handle.
Ev had a rough night last night, but it making up for it this afternoon. He had some pretty miserable gas (I can't believe there can be so many bubbles in such a little boy!) and just couldn't fall asleep. He was very tired but as soon as he would drift off, he'd wake up crying again. We finally gave in after about 2 hours and gave him some gripe water. I don't like to use the stuff too much but when we do give it to him, it seems to work. We always try rubs, leg squishies, rocking, etc. first. I think the worst part about his gas is that he's trying so hard to be his normal happy self, but he hurts so much! He'll be crying, then try to smile at you, then you can see in his face that it starts hurting again and he cries.
In other news, I've started reading a book by "the Baby Whisperer," Tracy Hogg. I am really enjoying it thus far and have ordered her second book too. She lists five types of babies and Everett fits into a few of them (not grumpy or sensitive). Bri and I took a quiz separately and we both ended up with Ev being a "textbook" baby, my second place was "angel" and Brian's was "spirited." I think he has mostly the textbook characteristics, followed by some very spirited tendencies, and some angelic times. It's very interesting and trying to use her routine of E.A.S.Y. (Eat, Activity, Sleep, You time [mom time]) has been wonderful the past week! Everett is loving that I am figuring out the routine he's been trying to put me on! He eats, then plays for about an hour, then takes a nap, then wakes up again to eat. He's been such a happy camper (besides gassy times) ever since I've started following this pattern.
Anyway! I finally got a whole root canal finished - yay! and go back to start another one at the end of this month - boo! That's all for today!

So sad

There are some stories that just make your heart break beyond repair. I just heard from a dear friend that her sister-in-law, who lost a baby to a heart problem last year, just lost her twins at 21 weeks into her pregnancy. Their blog is linked on the right - Feldman family. I cannot even imagine the pain and heartache involved with losing a child, let alone three in one year. Life seems completely unfair sometimes. Our thoughts and prayers are with this family right now, and we are hugging our little Everett a little tighter today, grateful for this amazing blessing in our lives.

Oops

It wasn't even close to napping time, I swear!

We were just chilling on the floor and I was doing something on the computer, noticed Ev wasn't making as much noise, looked over, and saw this:

Strong Neck...

For such a heavy head!

Much Better!

The terrible, miserable experience of getting shots is now forgotten and I have my angelic baby back! Here he is this afternoon: Everett even behaved as well as he could for our church baby shower last night. He did get pretty fussy, but hey, he was sleepy! Toward the end of the evening, he just needed some snuggles and fell asleep in my arms. We got some wonderful gifts - books, clothes, diapers, and wipes! - and got to spend some time with some great ladies. Brian even came along (for fear of Everett the Terrible reappearing), but ended up just changing one diaper, and sitting reading his book in the other room the rest of the time. We have started to figure out that Everett will yell at us to change his diaper, which pleases him to no end. We've known for a long time that he hates his wet diapers, but now he's quite vocal about it. We know that his yelling is often a precursor to crying, but sometimes it's just so darn funny, we laugh at him for a while before doing something to fix the problem. Mean, mean parents! One of Brian's advisors also sent us a baby gift - the Itzbeen baby timer - which I quickly realized would have been a lifesaver those first 6 weeks, but it still very handy now. It has four different timers that count up after you hit the buttons (feeding, diaper, sleeping, and other) so you can see how long 'itzbeen' since those events last occurred. Very cool. It also has a night light and backlight! Sometimes, I wish I came up with these ideas....
Also, we got our taxes done on Saturday - yay!!! Instead of putting our entire return into savings like we should, I'm planning to spend a bit of it. We really want a little green machine, so we're going to splurge on that (cats + baby = messy house!), and some will also go to the next dentist visit. Yuck. And of course, most of the rest will be going to our rent since I'm not working nearly as much as I used to. I'm still doing work from home (and about 3 hrs per week in the office with the baby!), and I'll be going back half time later this month, but it's not enough to pay the rent!
Anyway! I am going to take advantage of this quiet napping time before the Ever monster wakes up and possibly work on some cross-stitching. Have a great day!

Shots stink!

Brave little Ever man got his first shots today and he was sooo good! He sure didn't like it, but he got some daddy snuggles and his nuk, and was back to normal in no time. Fast forward 4 hours and all heck breaks loose! After feeding, I went to change his diaper and he starting screaming bloody murder! I got him some more tylenol, tried to snuggle him and gave him his nuk, but alas! he was not pleased. He screamed (in quite a piercing tone) until he tired himself out and fell asleep in my arms, then about a half hour later, his eyes flew open and he started screaming again. Back to nursing. I really hope this does not continue much longer....we have a meet the baby get together tonight...